MRI scans can be scary for anyone at any age. These tests consist of lying in a dark tube and staying still for up to 40 minutes, while you hear loud banging noises. Disney and health-tech multinational Phillips have teamed up to try to make the experience a little less scary for kids.
A New Kind of MRI
This week, the companies launched new scanners that integrate characters and stories from Disney into Philips Ambient Experience for MRI. Creating a more immersive and calming experience during these medical procedures.
In a study, six Europeans hospitals reported that this new scan reduced post-scan pediatric patient stress levels by 43% compared to pre-exam in patients between 6 and 10 years old. More impressively, it saw a 63% reduction in pauses during these MRI scans, compared to those without intervention. People who fail to get through these tests the first time are often forced to repeat them, sometimes with sedation. So this creates a huge win for medical staff and patients alike.
“At Disney, we believe stories have the power to bring comfort and emotional connection to children and families,” said Lisa Haines, SVP for corporate social responsibility at The Walt Disney Company. “We’re proud to collaborate with Philips to extend that impact into MRI rooms in a meaningful way—using our beloved stories and characters to help provide moments of escape, normalcy, and reassurance during what can be an intimidating experience for kids in hospitals.”
“By bringing Disney stories into the MRI environment, we are helping create a setting where children can feel more at ease and remain still during scans,” says Atul Gupta, Philips’ chief medical officer. “Reducing stress can improve the experience for young patients and their families, while helping care teams deliver efficient, high-quality imaging so they can care for more children each day, supporting better care for more people.”
Disney and Phillips plan to roll this technology out across facilities with eligible machines in 87 countries.
